It’s here, it’s electric, and it’s changing the game. We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first fully electric crane to the Monadelphous fleet, marking a major milestone in our journey toward lower emission, sustainable and innovative lifting operations.
Held at our Bibra Lake facility, the official launch of the JMG MC 250 was more than a handover - it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the future of lifting. With the sun shining and the crane gleaming in its electrifying new design, the event brought together Monadelphous people, industry partners and customers to witness the beginning of something big.
The battery-powered JMG MC 250 will be the first electric crane of its kind to service the resources industry within the Pilbara region of Western Australia, supporting customers in their transition to lower-emission operations.
Heavy Lift General Manager, Lorna Rechichi, beamed with pride as she addressed guests.
“This is an incredible milestone for Monadelphous. This is not just an investment in our fleet - it is a strategic move that reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability and supports the delivery of our decarbonisation goals,” Lorna said.
"Replacing fossil fuel-reliant pick-and-carry cranes with electric alternatives is a practical way to reduce emissions in everyday operations without compromising performance.”
With zero tailpipe emissions, reduced noise output and advanced remote-control capabilities, the MC 250 sets a new benchmark for sustainable lifting. It offers a host of impressive capabilities including:
The battery-powered crane will be the first of its kind to operate in the Pilbara region, starting with one of Fortescue’s mine sites. Fortescue’s Director of Mining Operations, Steve Cole, shared his excitement.
“It is fantastic to see Monadelphous taking tangible steps to support the decarbonisation of the mining industry. We are excited to welcome the crane to site and see it in action in the Pilbara soon," Lorna said.
Sourced from JMG Cranes in Italy, an innovative manufacturer focused on efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability, and brought to Australia by MCT Equipment, this crane is the result of close collaboration and a shared vision for progressive lifting solutions.
“This type of machinery is already used extensively throughout Europe. Bringing this crane to Australia is a fantastic opportunity to test its capabilities in the Pilbara environment, to learn and collaborate on improvements,” Lorna added.
“This crane is not an absolute like-for-like replacement of our traditional pick-and-carry cranes, but in driving towards electric solutions, we need to think differently about how to apply alternative solutions.”
The combined efforts of Monadelphous, MCT Equipment and JMG have laid the foundation for a more efficient and environmentally conscious fleet.
“Our collaboration has provided the resources and the vision to continue this first step - to have a more efficient machine with a better outcome for safety and the environment," she said.
Guests enjoyed Italian fare in tribute to the crane’s European origins and had the opportunity to get up close to the crane following a live demo. It was a fitting way to celebrate not just the MC 250, but also the dedication of the Monadelphous Heavy Lift team, whose problem-solving mindset and pursuit of excellence helped lift this concept to reality.
Lorna also spoke about this milestone and its strategic significance for our business.
“We are the first generation to feel the full impact of climate change - and the last that can do something about it before irreversible damage. Every fraction of a degree we add intensifies heatwaves, floods, droughts, and sea level rise. The time to act is now,” she said.